McLeish wanted to bring in Given as a replacement for Joe Hart, who returned to Manchester City after a loan spell at Birmingham. But instead McLeish ended up signing Ben Foster from Manchester United.
McLeish was linked up with Given at Aston Villa this summer, but the Scot admits he was considering bringing Foster with him to Villa Park.
“I was always thinking about Ben there’s no doubt about it. He’s a terrific goalkeeper,” McLeish said.
“I was focused on Shay, I really had made my mind up when I was announced as manager here that Shay was going to be my number one target.
“He was also a player that I tried to get before Ben at Blues, but it was great to get a goalie of the calibre of Ben.
“I never thought I could get Foster but When Sir Alex sad he would make him available I went for him.”
